The Premise

The confrontation between the forces of Yagiri Pharmaceuticals, lead by Namie Yagiri, and the Dollars continues. In flashback we get the origins of the Dollars. Also, Celty’s head gets a new bearer.

High Points

The flashback to the origins of the Dollars is very well written, as is the reveal that Izaya is just as much of founder of the Dollars as Mikado is.

Low Points

Izaya, at the end of the book, just comes across like a total Nihilist, who wants to destroy everything out of his own boredom. Now, The Joker comes across the same way in the Batman comics, but with The Joker, he’s a lunatic much like the other lunatics in Batman’s rogue’s gallery. He fits in in that world. However, in an odd way, Izaya’s brand of destructive nihilism doesn’t fit in the world of Durarara.

Scores

Originality: Continuation of a fairly faithful adaptation. 3/6

Artwork: Still very good, with some great two page spreads. 4/6

Story: A nice conclusion to this part of the story, while setting up some plot threads for the story’s next few arcs. 4/6

Characterization: The character development here for Celty and Shinra is well done, though I have some problems with Izaya’s characterization, as discussed in the low point. 4/6

Emotional Response: If last volume was the climax about 2/3rds of this volume is spent on the denouement, and well done denouement at that. 4/6